television stations such as WFOR 4, WTVJ 6 and WPLG 10, as well as printed media such as The Miami Herald and the Miami New Times. This press coverage often leads to stronger partnerships, such as the Care Force initiative created by WPLG 10, which connected philanthropic individuals in the community to stories they would see in a segment during WPLG's news broadcasts. The partnership allowed viewers to access a helpline answered by Switchboard, providing help in order to fill the needs of those featured in the segment. Company information History In 1968, Switchboard of Miami began as a hotline created by three volunteers to help connect college students to resources that would assist them in finding affordable housing options in Miami-Dade County. Soon after, as the Republican National Convention was taking place in Miami during the time, city officials reached out to the volunteers to ask for their help in maintaining order. The Vietnam War was part of the public agenda, and millions of residents were furious about how it affected their lives. The volunteers agreed to help, and were soon inundated with calls regarding issues far more complex than housing troubles. Shortly thereafter, the volunteers incorporated to become Switchboard of Miami, Inc. and expanded their hotline services, clinical services and assistance to the community. A full company timeline can be found below. 1968: Three volunteers meet in a church basement and create a loosely organized housing hotline to connect Miami Dade Community College (now Miami Dade College) students with potential roommates and landlords. City officials contact the volunteers for help with the anticipated Vietnam War protestors who would likely create havoc as the Republican National Convention convened here. They agree and the "housing hotline" begins to receive calls from visiting dissenters that go beyond housing needs to a myriad of issues such as hunger, substance use disorders, violence, etc. Because many of the callers were young, the housing hotline was nicknamed the "hippie hotline." 1970: The organization officially incorporates as Switchboard of Miami, Inc. and continues to offer HELPline services. 1980: Direct, face-to-face prevention and clinical services for youth and their families are offered in schools and the community to help strengthen and maintain local family units. 1980-81: Over 125,000 Cubans arrive in South Florida as part of the Mariel Boatlift. About 10% of the refugees were from mental institutions and prisons and are in need of crisis